Helping Your Child Learn Not to Swallow Toothpaste

Posted on 2/23/2018 by Fariba Mutschler

While we have all probably swallowed a little toothpaste here and there, who hasn't?

It is also not a good practice to get into since the properties that come in toothpaste can actually make us sick when it is ingested, especially at higher volumes. This is why spitting is important for them to learn.

Practice Makes Perfect

Practice brushing the teeth and spitting it out. Not only is this good for everyone involved, but it can ensure that they're learning how to spit out the toothpaste when it needs to be spit out.

Use a fluoride free toothpaste if you're worried about them swallowing the paste. This will put your mind at ease and give them something to practice with.

Always brush your teeth with them to show them what to do. This not only can help them with the brushing, but also showing them that they should spit out the toothpaste is always a good thing. You don't want them swallowing it too much. Once they're done brushing their own teeth, it is also recommended that you go over their teeth for them to get any areas that they may have missed themselves.

Keep in mind that a small amount swallowed is not going to harm them. Large volumes of fluoride is what is going to cause them. It is okay if it takes them a bit to get used to the spitting out of the toothpaste.

It is best to keep up with the oral hygiene routine. The more you brush your teeth together, the better they're going to get at doing so and knowing what to do each time you go to brush. This is a great skill and habit to have when you're little, since you're going to carry it with you as you become older.

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Specializing in dentistry for infants, children, adolescents and special needs patients